This 1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ43 Has Been Perfectly Restored, Costs $89,900

A multi-purpose workhorse conceived for military applications, taking the children to school, and the miners to work, the FJ43 is pretty utilitarian in comparison to body-on-frame SUVs produced by Toyota in this day and age. The reason it’s so simple boils down to ruggedness and ease of maintenance, which are vital traits for venturing off the beaten path.

Never sold in the United States through official channels, the four-by-four time capsule in the photo gallery has benefitted from a ground-up restoration that includes the period-correct 2F engine based on the Stovebolt Six from General Motors. The overhead design belts out 135 horsepower and 210 pound-feet (284 Nm) from 4.2 liters, which is more than adequate in such a light vehicle with considerable ground clearance and skinny tires.

The suck-squeeze-bang-blow is channeled to the driven wheels by a four-speed manual transmission, and the hardware list also includes power brakes with discs up front and drums at the rear. Power steering, Aisin hubs, 31- by 10.5-inch Bridgestone Dueler A/T rubber boots, and modern air conditioning also need to be mentioned, along with Dune Beige paintwork.

Peel away the canvas top, and you’ll be left with metal piping and a Spartan interior that looks brand-spanking new. The three-spoke steering wheel frames an analog odometer that shows less than 232 miles (373 kilometers), high-quality vinyl wraps the split-bench up front and opposing rear jumps, and the body-color dashboard has been treated to modern air conditioning.

“An all-around winner when it comes to exclusivity and appreciation,” this impeccable FJ43 also comes at a considerable price. RK Motors Charlotte is asking $89,900 for this old-school weekend warrior, which is more than the Land Cruiser for the 2021 model year and the Lexus LS 500.